THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 12, 1994 TAG: 9408120609
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B01 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA MCNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WINDSOR LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
The only sounds that normally disrupt this peaceful town on U.S. Route 460 in southern Isle of Wight County are the rumble of tractor-trailers on the four-lane highway and the whistle of freight trains roaring through.
But on Wednesday night, those sounds were nearly overpowered by the sound of angry voices coming from the local volunteer rescue squad headquarters.
Tempers flared, and a county sheriff's deputy was called after the squad voted 8-7 to buy a new ambulance from an out-of-state dealer.
Residents have pleaded with the squad for months to support a local company, Robinson Ambulance, just a few doors down from its headquarters.
That way, residents say, the new ambulance, expected to cost about $60,000, could be serviced conveniently, and the money would remain in the community.
``I've always supported the rescue squad in my 20 years on Town Council,'' Vice Mayor Wesley Garris said after the secret ballot was cast. ``But my support is through.''
``I hope you don't get sick,'' said squad member Alan Rose.
A squad lieutenant tried to restore order to the meeting, but several squad members and residents left the meeting room to continue the squabble in the bay that houses ambulances.
People ranging from the local bank president to the owners of two farm supply and hardware stores have gotten involved in the debate. Businesses posted signs and wrote letters urging the squad to support the local company, which has built ambulances since 1978, supplying nearly every emergency services organization in Hampton Roads.
Squad officials have declined to answer residents' questions about why they favor the out-of-state bidder over the local company.
Recently, the Windsor Town Council voted to withhold $5,000 in local funds from the squad, and the county Board of Supervisors wrote the squad encouraging members to support local businesses.
Despite the protests, squad members voted Wednesday to buy a 1994 Ford ambulance for $59,993 from an Indiana-based firm. Robinson's bid was for a 1995 Ford at $58,875. A prior motion to purchase a 1995 GMC from Robinson for $57,754 was defeated 9-6.
Capt. Ricky Hardy, however, refused to sign the contract until the squad's attorney had read it.
``If this were my money, we could do it on a handshake,'' Hardy said. ``But it's not my money. It belongs to everybody in this room and 8,000 other people.''
Part of the controversy is over delivery time. Company co-owner Tommy Robinson says he can deliver 30 days after he gets the chassis, but he can't say exactly when that will be since Ford hasn't started manufacturing the newer model. The other company says it will deliver within 120 days.
And part of the controversy is over the fairness of the bid process. Robinson says he was given less than a week to present a bid. Two other companies had about two months to prepare. And the Indiana company's bid, at the meeting Wednesday, had been reduced since last month from $62,493. Robinson's bids have remained constant.
``I am very disappointed,'' Mayor Robert C. Claud said as he left the meeting, which went on until after midnight. ``I think the town has spoken for months on this issue.''
Phillip Bradshaw, a member of the county Board of Supervisors and the squad's Citizens Advisory Committee, warned squad members that the controversy had escalated into a political issue.
``This is one of those unfortunate things you never want to see in a volunteer organization, especially when it involves emergency services,'' Bradshaw said.
The Windsor squad serves nearly half the county, and most of its funding comes from local government and private donations. Claud said the council would continue to withhold funding until the matter is settled.
County Administrator Myles Standish said Thursday that the supervisors are due to vote Thursday on a $29,000 capital request from the squad, earmarked for a new ambulance. In addition, the county gives the squad $55,125 annually. The first-quarter contribution went out in July, Standish said.
The rescue squad, a private organization, is not subject to the Virginia Procurement Act and is not required to buy from the lowest bidder.
And the local government has no authority over its operating policies, said Mark Whiting, public information officer for the office of Emergency Medical Services in the Virginia Department of Health.
But the town and the county can withhold funds, Whiting said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
``I've always supported the rescue squad in my 20 years on Town
Council. But my support is through.''
Wesley Garris, Vice mayor
by CNB